Co-application of salicylic acid and spermine alleviates salt stress toxicity in wheat: growth, nutrient acquisition, osmolytes accumulation, and antioxidant response

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) and spermine (SPM) elicit particular responses in response to various environmental stressors. However, there is little known about the underlying mechanism of their combination treatments' mediating effect on salt stress tolerance. In this investigation, the potential impact of 100 mg L−1 SA and/or 30 mg L−1 SPM in avoiding salt damage at saline environments of 6.0 and 12.0 dS m–1 in wheat was examined. Results showed that by increasing mineral acquisition, chlorophyll a and b contents, antioxidant enzymes activity, osmolytes accumulation, leaf water content, grains carbohydrate and protein content as well as reducing Na+ accumulation, membrane electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents, exogenously applied SA and/or SPM significantly reduced the detrimental impacts of soil salinization and increased wheat growth and productivity. The best outcomes came from combining the SA and SPM treatments. Overall, this combined treatment enhanced mineral homeostasis, osmolytes accumulation, and antioxidant response, pointing to a potential role for it in minimizing the negative consequences of salt stress. Therefore, combining SA and SPM in a sustainable agricultural system can be viewed as a successful technique for reducing salt damage.